Tug of Life. Flesh v's the Spirit

Students from Grades 11 and 12, 18 years through to 29 led the morning service at Tamaki PIPC on the 31st of July. The theme was 'Tug of life'. The classes based their items on the verses found in Romans 8 and Galatians 5. In particular the verses related to the tug of life between the 'Flesh and the Spirit'. This is the intro trailer that was used before the play 'Tug of life'. Camera's followed two characters for a day, highlighting the constant tug between the flesh and Spirit when making decisions - big and small. Footage from the actual service will be shared soon.

Congratulations to the students, parents and teachers who worked together to put the service together. God's name be lifted on high. Feel the tug of the Spirit? Let yourself be led there every time : )

Happy 31st Birthday Tamaki PIPC

A wild selection of photos from our Jungle Safari Party.

The Temptation of Jesus

This months family service was conducted by the Beginners and Grades 1 & 2 classes.  Their theme was based on Lesson 2 of the Scripture Union Curriculum: The Temptation of Jesus.  You will be amused and entertained in the way they have portrayed this important message.
Please leave a comment to all the amazing children and teachers of the Beginners and Grades 1 & 2 classes.
To God be the Glory...Amen!

Jungle Boogie 31

These images are from our recent Annual Parish Dance. This year celebrating 31 years of being a multicultural parish. The theme of this year's dance was 'Jungle Boogie'. As you can see our youngest through to our oldest dressed up in the jungle theme. There were four main prizes awards to whole families who turned up in costume.

It was a fun filled night, with many laughs and animal cries of all sorts. Our children didn't seem to rest, enjoying the disco ball and the good music all night long. A wonderful night of celebration for our parish. May God grant unto us many more opportunities as such to spend time together in His love. God bless church!

Youth Rally - Fono Samoa. Our song.

Thursday night was kicked off with the fantastic Praise and Worship team from Saute. A very talented group. In seconds they had the entire Malaeola hall upstanding and praising our Lord.

We were second in the line up of items. We followed a highly entertaining dance group delicious. We all had a good time singing to our peers and parents, a wonderful experience to stand before people who love seeing you there.

Here's a look at the song we shared. One for all the Toni Braxton fans out there. Tell us which was your favourite and we'll work at getting that item up for you if we have it.

God bless you as you watch and listen.

Fono Samoa 2011

This was a special Fono for us, seeing our very own Tama being inducted at the new Ta'ita'ifono. Tama led the service with an inspiring sermon about giving opportunities. How we should be willing to give people the opportunity to see what they are capable of, what their gifts are. Not to look at them in the wrong light...judging on the physical appearance etc.

This year's Fono was hosted by our church family who are located in the South of Auckland - Matagaluega o Aukilani i Saute. For three days we were hosted by this very warm, kind and generous part of our PIPC. The Tupulaga and Autalavou programme was full of very useful teachings - no matter what the age. We will post more detailed pieces soon on the great programme we had the privilege of being a part of. Thank you very much Saute!

We also had the opportunity to share a short clip that showed what our particular Tupulaga have been up to since last year. Here it is.

The Redeemer Lives!

This months Family Service was brought to us by the students of grades 7 & 8. Their theme was 'The Redeemer Lives'.

Fittingly with this being Easter weekend grades 7 and 8 took the opportunity to remind us once again of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Congratulations to today's classes for presenting a wonderful service. Thank you for reminding us about the truth and blessings we have in the Trinity -the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord for his many blessings. May we continue to move forward under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our helper and comforter at all times.

God bless you grades 7 and 8.

Congratulations Gary!

Good news - good news! Gary Mauga - winner of our most frequent and encouraging comment leaver on this our blog...

Saturday 2nd of March, Gary Mauga, one of our very own home grown - walked down the isle of Manukau Baptist to receive his degree in Applied Theology. It was a ceremony hugely uplifting and full of God praises for the achievement of many Theology Students of Carey Bible College.

Our Reverend Father minister and his wife Lealofi were there to witness this event alongside Gary's wife Suliana, mother Katie and siblings. Also a small group members of our parish were there to cheer for Gary as his name was called and degree awarded. What a special time to be part of.

It was very clear to all who attended that all students including our Gary, had an enjoyable yet challenging journey to reaching this day. Gary, on behalf of your church family we want to say congratulations and well done. Your achievement is one which will benefit many who cross your path. We are very happy for you and glad that we have been part of this journey with you.

May God in his wisdom and love, continue to provide you with ample opportunity to act out the many wonderful truths you have learnt during your time of study. We have no doubt that the parish of Glen Dowie Presbyterian are now enjoying your warm and cheerful way during your internship. We look forward to reading your very own post soon. God bless and keep you, Suli and your family in his peace and presence. Alofa tele.

God the Father. Seek Ye First...

Today's morning service was led by the students and teachers of Grades 3 and 4. Together they delivered a message that reminded us of the awesome Father we have in God.
This song was sung during offering. Some very talented students lead the way in singing the well known song 'Seek Ye First'.

Be sure to leave a comment for the wonderful students of Grades 3 and 4.

Club Talitha - night No.1!

We've started! We had close to 30 girls arrive and participate in our first ever Club Talitha! It was opened by our mother in Christ Lealofi. She shared a brief message on being thankful for all we have, reminding us of how truly blessed we are.

The youngest members came well prepared with Bibles, pens and books to write in. Question responded to with many hands rising to answer. Go girls!

Part of the evening was spent in groups designing a logo. The girls had to share about the story of Jesus and Jairus' daughter whom Jesus brought back to life saying 'Talitha Cumi'. As we wandered around the hall it was easy to see that the girls now have a good grasp of what our club is and why. You will find here the different groups with their designs. Listen closely to the very good explanations that are given as part of their presentation.

We'd love to have your votes - check our sidebar to pick which logo you think best suits our girl's club.

Talitha Cumi!

Talitha Cumi

Good news, good news!! Girl's Club is starting at Tamaki next Tuesday - 8th March 2011. Our families meet together with Reverend Father Setefano and Mother Lealofi. This was to share and discuss the plans for our monthly Girls Club. Girls and their parents were very excited. This is going to be a monthly space for girls 8 years and older. Not only within our parish but for the girls in our immediate community of Glen Innes.

It began with a devotion led by Reverend Setefano, Mark 5, the story of Talitha. This the story of this little girl, a twelve year old who's father was Jairus. Jairus went to Jesus to ask help for his daughter who was dying. When Jesus arrived, she had died, however Jesus told them not to weep...'she is asleep'. Jesus enters her room and tells her "Talitha Cumi" translated 'Little girl, arise'. From this beautiful story we've named our Girl's club, Talitha.

Our aim is to work together and allow Jesus to help us truly arise to the challenges in life! To show his extraordinary power in our ordinary beings.

We look forward to our first session this coming Tuesday. God's many blessings.
Please pray with us for the girls who will be part of Talitha. Thank you.

If you plan to attend, please remember your Bible, pen, book and your $5.00 registration fee. It's going to be fun girls!!

Parents @ Bible Class

Bible Class is in it's second week now. Parents, grandparents and the members of Bible Class, young and old gathered for their Parents night. It's a bit like meet the teacher, leaders sharing the plans for the year and opportunities for our parents to ask any questions. It was also a chance to introduce our newest and youngest BC leader, Pili Salu, hooray!!

Our Reverend Father Setefano and mother Lealofi were there to lead our evening with a devotion. A very apt devotion about plants and soil. The theme of not only being plants, trees for our Lord but to actually bear fruit that is of Him too. It was followed by a competitive round of Bible Trivia.

We shared a lovely meal provided by the members of BC. A very warm exchange of thanks and well wishes for the year were made before the evening was closed in prayer by Tama.

We would again like to thank all our families who attended. We look forward to working alongside you all in our ministry here at Tamaki. God's abundant blessings upon all your households.

2011 here we come!!

Conference - Friday night.

Talofa lava Tupulaga! The following movie shows you part of our evening on Friday. You will see Heston who boldly led the Praise and Worship on behalf of the music workshop team. There is also parts of Gary Mauga's (Tamaki born and bred) keynote included. Gary's message was around the gifts that we posses. He closes with a very unique song. Check it out! God bless Tupulaga, before you know it - God willing - we'll be altogether soon for Fono Samoa 2011.

'Bruisers' - Blue Team BC Camp 2010

November the 12th - 14th was the weekend of the BC camp. Camp Re'treat' was the theme. To have time away to rest and be restored, ready to complete the year on a high with our Lord.

Our very first post from this weekend comes to you from the Blue team, called 'Bruisers'.

The birth of the "Blue Bruisers" with face paint and bandana's alike, it was reminiscent of a scene from the Mel Gibson blockbuster hit movie 'Braveheart'. The only difference was that swords were replaced by water guns and war cries taken over by team chants. However the passion to win all the spoils to the victor was very much still alive. Whoever said the theme for this was 'REST' obviously did not take into account 'Dodge Ball'. All that aside the friendly team banter was a great way to break barriers between the young and old. The sounds of hugging and puffing were quickly taken over by sounds of joy and laughter. Team challenges were a hit throughout the weekend. It wasn't about winning, it was all about fun. Mark Tele'a

It was requested that this year's camp was to be more relaxing and fun as opposed to the more intense - filled programmes that we were used to. And that is exactly what we were given. Our great leadership team yielded and camp up with an awesome programme that incorporated rest, fun , retreat and reflection in every aspect of the programme.
Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden; I will give you rest...

The above reading shared during one of the devotions, stood out for me the most for it epitomized and emphasized the very theme of our weekend getaway.

I came away from camp having been restored, refreshed, rejuvenated and revived to carry on with the remainder of this year....and I'm sure this feeling was mutually shared by all. Aloema Fainu'u

Going to BC camp for my first time was AWESOME! Morning devotions, games, swim, FOOD, everything on that weekend was 'O' for awesome. My highlight of the whole three days was going to the beach for the morning devotion collecting shells representing members of our families was great. It was a really great time of rest and retreating. For those of us who were carrying heavy loads...God will give us REST! Leauma Uelese

Attention, attention wake up time is 9am!! A ripple of 'Hooray' echoes throughout the room (me included sshhh) Saturday morning the sun penetrates through our cabin with no thought of getting up but just resting. "Come on Aunty, we're going to the beach and you have to come". I get ready and walk down the road with the others and what a blessing this was. The sheer beauty and stillness of that morning was absolute perfection, and truly felt God's presence and power in just being there. We were asked to collect shells representing each member of our family and with both hands needed to hold onto the shells Maroroa had collected, we were to pray for each person. With our family circle planted in the sand upright and firm we prayed for each one, thanking God for our family. Thank you Jesus for my family. Teiho Tengaru

It is well

It is well is a well loved hymn over a century in age. Bibleclass led our morning service on the 31st October 2010 where they shared about the author of this hymn. Horatio Spafford is the man who wrote this hymn, his past was one full of adversity. His life story is an inspiration to Christians. The following was a summary that was shared at the end of our servic.

Because God can work all things for good, we can have peace knowing that good will come even under bad circumstances - adversity. Horatio’s grief was so great, a son lost to scarlet fever, 4 daughters drowned and lost at sea...yet he holds fast to his life line - as written in this hymn
‘ though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.

Today, Horatio Spafford reminds us that we can also sing ‘ It is well with my soul because . . .
1) God is in control.
2) All things work together for good.
3) Trouble is only temporary.
4) Salvation is for all.
The end result is victory.